Boxing D ay, a time to toss the Christmas wrap, heat up the leftovers, and take a day to enjoy a day off, after the Christmas Day frenzy has died down.
Celebrated primarily in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Boxing Day is a little bit like Christmas II. You get a second swipe at eating, drinking, merrymaking, and celebrating the holidays with friends and family. The day after Christmas takes on a more casual tone, however, and even the host gets to relax and kick back at a Boxing Day gathering.
History of Boxing Day
There are as many different versions of the origin of Boxing Day as there are nuts in a fruitcake. Also known as St. Stephen's Feast Day, December 26th has evolved as a day to be charitable to those in need. But why the day after Christmas?
In olden times, Christmas Day was a busy time for the servants of the wealthy. Servants worked hard all day for their employers, helping to provide a festive holiday for these wealthy families. Servants traditionally were given the next day, Dec. 26, as a day off work to celebrate the holiday with their own families. The servants were given leftover food in boxes to take home for their family celebrations, along with small gifts or money from their employers.
Boxing Day became known as the day to give alms to the poor, and to show appreciation to those who have provided you a service throughout the year.
Shopping
The day after Christmas has become a big day for bargain shopping, sales, and returning unwanted gifts to get a good deal on something truly wanted. Especially in the United States, Boxing Day traditionally means that stores open early, close late, and slash prices. Anyone who loves to shop makes an event out of fighting crowds, waiting in line and finding the bargains of the year.
Remembering Others
Boxing Day is still a day to remember those less fortunate and to show appreciation for those workers who serve. Many people will give a tip or a small gift to the mailman, newspaper delivery person, and other service people.
Many charitable organizations use Boxing Day to organize canned food drives or collections for the needy. Some make it an annual tradition to make a contribution to the poor box in their churches.
Community Events
Many communities are known for their Boxing Day events - swims (sometimes with participants in costumes), horse races, football matches, walks, runs and even pram races. If you're planning a Boxing Day celebration, why not start out your event by taking in an event in your community.
Leftover Food
Boxing Day is all about taking it easy, too. Traditional Boxing Day recipes are made with leftover turkey and ham from Christmas dinner, or other leftovers. Bubble and Squeak, a traditional Boxing Day dish, is made from chopped leftover meats, potatoes and vegetables, fried in a skillet.
For Boxing Day food ideas, see Les Tout's Boxing Day Recipes.
Start Your Own Boxing Day Tradition
Boxing Day isn't just for Brits anymore. Start your own Boxing Day tradition and do your holiday entertaining the day after Christmas.
- Have a Boxing Day potluck and ask your guests to bring over a leftover dish from their Christmas dinner. You'll get a taste of all the different menus your friends served at the holiday, and create a spread with lots of variety.
- Send your Boxing Day guests home with some homemade cookies, nut bread, fruitcake or another homemade creation, packaged in a creative box, Chinese takeout container or something you've designed yourself. For homemade box ideas, check out CraftStylish.com.
- Pass out Christmas crackers to kids and adults. Christmas crackers are cardboard tubes wrapped in paper, which, when the ends are pulled, makes a popping sound and out spills the contents, usually candy, trinkets, toys and other treats. Be sure to have some extra Christmas crackers - the kids will want to open up a few!
- Start early and have a Boxing Day brunch. Leftover Christmas meats and vegetables can be easily turned into quiches, casseroles and other brunch main dishes.
